Fire service to dispatch nearest available crew to emergencies

Latvia’s government has approved a new procedure under which the State Fire and Rescue Service will send the nearest available crew to an emergency, regardless of its administrative affiliation or whether it is based at the nearest section or station, LSM reports.

The change is intended to speed up responses and improve the use of resources.

The new rules also include the State Environmental Service, which the State Fire and Rescue Service can involve in firefighting and rescue operations. Other emergency services may also be called in, including the fire safety and rescue unit of Latvijas dzelzceļš and road maintenance crews from Latvijas Valsts ceļi.

The rules now specify additional traffic-related obstacles that can delay crews, including poor driving conditions caused by heavy rain, intense snowfall, ice and trees blocking roads.